What Is a Dedicated IP? Benefits of a Dedicated IP VPN

Posted on Apr 12, 2024 by Naiyie Lamb

Whether you’re working remotely, connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi, or streaming and gaming at home, a reliable VPN is now an essential cybersecurity tool. It helps you encrypt your traffic, protect your privacy, and reclaim some of your internet freedoms.

For all these benefits, using a VPN also has some disadvantages. Websites could have ways to detect your VPN use, and if they catch you, they could spam you with error messages and warnings, or block your access entirely. Search engines might start to hold you up at every turn with endless CAPTCHA tasks. 

If this sort of thing happens, the culprit is likely your shared IP address. When sites detect that multiple people are accessing them using a single IP address, they might assume it’s a VPN address and blocklist it. Switching to another VPN server could solve this problem, but if that doesn’t work, it might be time to get a dedicated IP address. Read on to learn more about what a dedicated IP address is, why you might need one, and the best way to get one. 

Get a Dedicated IP from PIA VPN and kiss VPN blocks, excessive security measures, and tedious CAPTCHAs goodbye. We can give you a static, personal IP address with all the security and privacy benefits of a VPN. Our innovative anonymous token system makes sure nothing links your new IP address to you or your PIA account, so not even we know which dedicated IP address you’ve been assigned. 

You can choose from VPN servers in Australia, Germany, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, the US, and the UK.

What Is an IP Address? 

Whenever you go online, your device has an IP address. Think of it as the cyberspace equivalent of your home address.

Your IP address tells websites or services where your traffic is coming from. Likewise, if they need to send information back to you, they know where to send it.

At home, your device typically gets its IP address from your ISP, but you can also get an IP address from a VPN

What Is a VPN IP Address? 

A VPN IP address is one assigned to you by a VPN. It’s usually shared between multiple random users and it’s dynamic, meaning it changes a lot.

A VPN masks your real IP address with one of its own, which then becomes your public-facing IP address or the one assumed to be the source of your traffic. This gives you the advantages of greater anonymity and privacy. Since dozens or even hundreds of people may share the same VPN-assigned IP address, it’s nearly impossible to identify you in the crowd. But the same can alert websites to the fact your IP address is from a VPN  

Using a shared IP address has its drawbacks, though, such as having your IP address blocklisted because of how many other people are using it or what they’re doing while connected. That’s where a dedicated IP address comes in. 

What Is a Dedicated IP Address? 

A dedicated, static, or personal IP address is one your VPN provider assigns exclusively to you. Several top VPNs have introduced dedicated IP addresses as an add-on feature aimed at tackling some of the issues arising from shared or dynamic IP addresses.

Dedicated vs Shared IP Address

Unlike the dynamic, shared IP addresses you usually get from a VPN, a dedicated IP address is static or unchanging, and reserved for your sole use. This means you’ll encounter fewer IP bans, VPN blocks, CAPTCHAs, and security checks than you might with a standard shared IP address. A static IP address is also useful for remote workers, as it can be added to an IP allowlist to ensure only authorized access to company resources. 

The key differences between the two are summed up in the table below: 

Benefits Dedicated IP Address Shared IP Address
Exclusive use
Fewer CAPTCHAs
Fewer VPN blocks
Authorized remote access

Add a dedicated IP address to your PIA subscription and eliminate many of the hiccups associated with using shared or dynamic IP addresses.

Do I Need a Dedicated IP Address? 

Not everyone will need to use a dedicated IP address, but you might if: 

  • Your staff work remotely. Remote staff can use dedicated IP addresses to access company resources securely from home. Dedicated IP addresses are static, so they can be allow-listed to ensure only authorized personnel have access to business data. This protects the employees as well as critical business assets.
  • You host your own website or business server. A static IP address ensures websites and email addresses tied to your business server have a consistent IP address. It also lets you install an SSL certificate on your website. This validates your site’s authenticity and encrypts all traffic between your server and its users. Online stores that handle financial transactions or gather personal data from clients require SSL certificates to build trust and security. 
  • You own a Minecraft server. If you want to host a public Minecraft server, having a dedicated IP address for your server can help players find you time and time again. You can also publicize your server’s IP address on boards, websites, ads, and other platforms. A dedicated IP address also simplifies the port selection process for players and may even result in more consistent uptime and connectivity.
  • You can’t afford to waste time completing CAPTCHAs. Once or twice is fine, but five in a row? If CAPTCHA tasks make you want to tear your hair out, or worse, turn off your VPN, it’s time to switch to a dedicated IP address. Your IP address will no longer chop and change and the internet will no longer need to constantly verify if you’re a real human.
  • Your IP address keeps getting blocklisted. If your streaming or gaming platform routinely kicks you off or won’t let you access the service at all when you use a VPN, your IP address may have been blocklisted. You can try switching servers until you find one that unblocks the site, or you can get a dedicated IP address and skip the bother altogether. 

Benefits of a Dedicated IP Address

1. Uninterrupted Security

Using a dedicated IP address means you won’t be tempted to disconnect from your VPN due to incessant interruptions. This lets you explore the web smoothly and freely, with a constant shield of protection. It also means you’re not exposed to the security risks associated with sharing an IP address, such as finding yourself in the company of hackers and cybercriminals, or worse, their victims!

2. Secure Remote Working

Dedicated IP addresses are essential in companies that employ remote workers. They provide an unchanging IP address that can be added to an allowlist. This makes it easier to control which personnel can access specific resources. A dedicated IP VPN also encrypts all traffic to and from the organization’s network to ensure company information is safe in transit. Employees benefit too, as they can access the web freely and safely, no matter where they’re working from. 

3. Better Performance

Since you’re the only one using the IP address, you won’t have to contend with peak traffic issues and can enjoy consistently quick connection and site loading speeds. 

You may also see a boost in your productivity thanks to fewer blocks, CAPTCHAs, and security checks, giving you more time to spend on what matters. 

4. More Streaming & Gaming

A VPN lets you bypass region-based blocks to play games with players from around the world. You can also watch shows from home that aren’t available where you are. 

It’s no surprise that streaming and gaming platforms do all they can to block known VPN IP addresses. They automatically detect when multiple people use the same IP address and may add these IP addresses to blocklists. Many gaming platforms even issue temporary bans for using a VPN. 

If you’re savvy and use a dedicated IP address, platforms won’t know you’re using a VPN. As your IP address is yours alone, it’s extremely unlikely their detectors will know it’s associated with a VPN. 

5. Secure Online Banking

Online banking with a VPN turned on doesn’t always go smoothly. If your bank detects you’re using a VPN, it might treat your activity as suspicious and block you out or initiate extra security checks. 

A dedicated IP VPN helps you avoid these issues. Since you’re using an IP address that doesn’t change all the time, it won’t set off your bank’s alarms. This lets you stay connected to your VPN while online banking so you benefit from the extra privacy and protection. 

6. Control Over Your Own IP Reputation

Your IP reputation is a measure of trustworthiness based on past online activity linked to your IP address. If your shared IP address has a bad reputation due to the actions of other VPN users, it could see you blocked on certain web pages or platforms. A dedicated IP address gives you the freedom and peace of mind of an untarnished IP reputation. 

What Is a Dedicated IP Address for Minecraft? 

If you want to host a public Minecraft server, using a dedicated IP address on your server helps establish credibility and trust with the gaming community. You can share the address far and wide, and players can return to your server easily. Using a dedicated IP address also automates the port selection process, letting players skip the technical setup and dive right in. Plus, as you don’t need to share resources with other users, it could even result in more consistent uptime and connectivity.

How to Get a Dedicated IP Address

You may be able to get a dedicated IP address as an add-on from your VPN provider or ISP. PIA VPN has dedicated IP addresses from Australia, Germany, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, the US, and the UK. PIA is also the first VPN to offer dedicated IP support for Apple TV, enabling more reliable access to region-specific content.

Here’s how to get a dedicated IP address in a few easy steps: 

  1. Get a PIA VPN subscription.
  2. Go to the PIA VPN Dedicated IP page to sign up for the feature. Once you do, you’ll receive an anonymous token.
  1.  Launch the PIA VPN app and click the menu icon in the top left corner. 
  1. Select Dedicated IP from the list of options.
  1. Paste your token into the activate bar and click ACTIVATE.

Once you activate your token, you can use your dedicated IP address whenever you like. 

PIA’s Anonymous Token-Based System 

One of the drawbacks of having a dedicated IP address is the risk of having it traced back to you. PIA has an innovative way of assigning you a static IP address so your identity remains private. Instead of linking your dedicated IP address directly to your email or account, we use an anonymous token-based system to decouple the two data sets.


Here’s how it works:

  1. You generate an anonymous key on the PIA website.
  2. This key is then copied into your PIA VPN app.
  3. The app translates this key into a unique IP address.
  4. This way, no one can trace your IP address back to you, not even us.


Optimize Your VPN with a Dedicated IP Address

When you add a dedicated IP address to your VPN subscription, you get all the advantages of VPN protection with none of the little annoyances. Since your IP address stays the same regardless of your location or network, it won’t constantly be triggering alarm bells and CAPTCHA tasks. And being yours alone, it’s unlikely to make it onto any blocklists or be affected by VPN blocks. 

FAQ

Why would I want a dedicated IP address?

You might want a dedicated IP address if you’re looking to avoid VPN blocks and excessive security checks, or if you need to access business resources remotely. Platforms and websites routinely block IP addresses suspected of being linked to VPNs, while corporate networks can’t add shared or dynamic IP addresses to their allowlists. A dedicated IP address lets you reap all the security benefits of a VPN without the hitches. 

What is the point of a dedicated IP address in Minecraft?

If you host a Minecraft server, having a static IP address allows you to make your server public and establish a more professional, reliable presence. It also simplifies the port selection process for players as a dedicated IP address causes the game to always use port 25565, the standard port for Minecraft. This makes it easier for players to dive right in.

What are the benefits of having a dedicated IP address?

Having a dedicated IP address offers several compelling advantages over the shared IP addresses typically associated with VPNs. These include:

– Steering clear of IP blocklists and the consequences of poor IP reputation
– Facilitating remote access to your organization’s systems 
– Triggering fewer security checks when browsing or online banking

Do I really need a dedicated IP address?

Having a dedicated IP address isn’t essential, but it can solve some of the niggles associated with using a shared IP address. PIA VPN’s Dedicated IP feature lets you mask your real IP address with a new, static one that’s exclusively yours. That way you won’t be penalized for the bad behavior of other VPN users, or have to complete mindless authentication tasks to prove you’re a real human every time you want to do something online. 

Is it worth it to get a dedicated IP address?

It could be. If completing back-to-back CAPTCHAs is no longer fun, or if you or your people need to access work servers remotely, a dedicated IP address may be worth the extra expense. You can add PIA’s Dedicated IP feature to your monthly VPN subscription for just $5, so you never have to squint to see all the blocks containing pedestrian crossings again.
 
See for yourself – test drive a dedicated IP address from PIA VPN today. You have nothing to lose thanks to our 30-day money-back guarantee.